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New!! GO: Saturday, May 15, 2010 ..St Thomas March
The March 15, 2010 March of STT/STJ/STC went well organized and presented. Sincere thanks to the organizers Sheri Meyers and Clarence Payne for inviting us to be a part of such momentous call to action!
Myrtle Barry
Dear Community:
Please come out to St Thomas for whatever length of time you can spare and join The Virgin Islander's For Social Justice who are sponsoring a March this Sat from 10- 3. The march will run from Market Square up to Gov't house, past the Farelly Justice Building and on to
Emancipation Gardens for a couple hour program.
The March is to promote Awareness of community issues as well as to highlight the theme of Unity, Accountability and Social Justice. This is a CROSS island march with attendees from all three islands.
The program in the Park will have speakers expounding on social justice, accountability including the Gov't touching on the loans and property tax issues, energy efficiency and how we can lower our WAPA bills and live more greenly, the department of agriculture supporting home farming, voters registration drive, a petition regarding crime and crime watch/crime stoppers as well as many other topics also, some very short entertainment breaks. There will also be food and drink vendors there.
We are asked to wear Green Shirts to represent Unity.
There is FREE transportation for anyone who wants it- take the 8 am ferry on Sat which MUST be reserved via E&C Gas (776-6046) by noon tomorrow. The return is free as well and will be at 3 pm returning on the 4 ferry..
Marchers can of course pay their own way and participate for whatever period of time they desire...there is an 8:45 am ferry to town which would get you there in plenty of time and there is a 1 pm ferry from town home for those who can't spend the full time there..
Let's join forces with our neighbors to encourage positive change in our islands! We will reschedule the Beach clean up for another weekend..
Wed, 4/21/10, Myrtle Barry <myrtlebarry@yahoo.com> wrote:
1. The 4-12-10 "The Truth About Our Property Tax" Rally was well presented and attended (200+). Sincere thanks to our sponsors and those who sacrificed the time to attend.
2. At the Rally Raymond Williams, Lt. Gov. Chief of Staff, assured us that the property tax receivables will not be sold to a third party interest.
3. Two days later (4-14-10) we testified against Bill 28-0227 proposed by Gov. deJongh. Section 2 stated "... the Governor may offer, by public or private sale, the Government's real property tax receipts collected for Fiscal Year 2007". Legal counsel interpretation confirmed that the 2007 property tax receivables for 2007 can be sold.
4. Act 7054 Section 5 authorized the government to secure bonds based on the property tax bills and gross receipt tax.
5. At the Rally representatives from the Lt. Governor's office stated that the 2006 bills will be issued in 7/10 and the 2007 bills will be issued in 12/10.
6. The bills will be issued at the 1998 level (assessed property and building value, rate and exemptions) per Act 7154. So, find your 1998 tax bill and make sure all tax bills paid since 1998 reflect the same figures. If you did not own your property in 1998, the previous owner's bill can be retrieved from www.vipropertyrevaluation.com or your Realtor may offer assistance.
7. It will take 4 years to catch up with collection. Also most property owners will not be able to pay their taxes. It is our position that the 2006, 2007, 2008 property tax bills be waived and the 2009 bill be issued at the 1998 level.
8. Jim Derr request that any one has filed a formal appeal over one year ago and has not received a decision from the Board of Tax Review, contact us.
Myrtle Barry
VIRGIN ISLANDS UNITY DAY GROUP, INC.
Alert! Alert! Alert!
YOUR real property is at stake!
Be present at the St. Thomas Legislature Chambers
on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 10:00 A.M.
Stand up to save your home and land!
Do not allow the government to sell your
property tax fund. Spread the word!
Bring everybody!
Governor to Sell 2007 Property Taxes to Third Parties –
You could Lose your Home!
At a Property Tax rally on Monday night, April 12th, the Lt Governor’s Chief of Staff – Mr. Williams - chastised St John residents for spreading rumors and misinformation because it was absolutely, positively, not true that the Government was planning on selling Property Tax bills to third parties.
On Wednesday, less than 48 hours later, the Legislature met to vote on Governor de Jongh’s request (dated March 4, 2010) to “Authorize the sale of the 2007 Fiscal Year Real Property Tax Receipts” to either public or private companies. This means a private company could own the 2007 Property Tax Receivables, and if the taxes are not paid or are late, they would be able to do whatever the law permits them to do to collect their money – including putting a lien on your property and even foreclosing on your land or house.
The VI Unity Day Group testified at the Legislature against sale of Property Taxes. During the session the Governor’s spokespeople insisted at various times that: 1) they really didn’t plan on selling the taxes; 2) they only meant to use the taxes as collateral; 3) the section involving Property Taxes would be deleted from the bill; 4) they found a cheaper way to borrow money which didn’t involve Property Taxes at all; 5) they would make sure the contract with the private company would not permit foreclosures. In spite of all those explanations and promises, the bill was tabled with the words unchanged – “The Governor may offer, by public or private sale, the Government’s real property receipts collected for Fiscal Year 2007”.
This bill is going to be voted by the Senate this Tuesday May 4th. If you do not want a Private Company in the position of taking away Virgin Island property please call/fax/email the Senators and tell them to delete all references to the sale of Property Taxes from Bill 28-0227. Virgin Islanders losing their land and homes is too serious an issue to play “I really meant something else”, “I didn’t mean it that way”, or “we would never let it happen” games. It needs to be deleted completely.
Here is a list of contact information for the Senators: (Note: Faxes have more impact than phone calls or email, and to make sure they hear you loud and clear, perhaps you should come to the Legislature on Tuesday at 10AM and tell them in person.)
Name ST Phone SX Phone Fax Email
Senator Craig W. Barshinger
693-3546
712-2307
693-3639
senator@barshinger.net
Senator Adlah Donastorg, Jr.
693-3515
-------------
693-3633
afd@legvi.org
Senator Carlton Dowe
693-3572
-------------
693-3660
cdowe@legvi.org
Senator Louis Patrick Hill
693-3616
712-2379
693-3635
lp_hill@yahoo.com
Senator Neville James
693-3573
712-2279
712-2384
njames3033@yahoo.com
Senator Wayne A. G. James
693-3600
712-2216
712-2376
wagj91461@hotmail.com
Senator Shawn-Michael Malone
693-3529
-------------
693-3642
smmalone1@yahoo.com
Senator Terrence Nelson693-3655712-2210712-2374 HYPERLINK "mailto:positive__1@hotmail.com" positive__1@hotmail.com (2 underscores)
Senator Usie Richards
693-3669
712-2281
712-2372
senatorrichards@hotmail.com
Senator Nereida Rivera-O’Reilly
693-3507
712-2291
712-3641
teamnellie@gmail.com
Senator Sammuel Sanes
693-3566
712-2310
712-2380
sammuelsanes@yahoo.com
Senator Patrick Simeon Sprauve
693-3513
-------------
693-3631
cbryan@legvi.org
Senator Michael Thurand
693-3618
712-2321
712-2242
senatormichaelthurland@msn.com
Senator Celestino A. White, Sr.
693-3567
-------------
693-3636
cwhite@legvi.org
Senator Alvin A. Williams, Jr.
693-3517
-------------
693-3634
alvinwil2@msn.com
THE TRUTH ABOUT OUR
PROPERTY TAXES
Winston Wells Ball Park
April 12, 2010
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Sponsored by: Virgin Islands Unity Day Group,Inc.
Our speakers will be as follows:
Jim Derr - Current status
Myrtle Barry - History/Analysis
Office of the Lieutenant Governor - Explination
The program will be broadcast live on WSTA radio station 1340AM from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Questions can be submitted to viunitydaygroup@yahoo.com
See you there!
Myrtle
Please spread the word.
Governor de Jongh is kicking off his St John re-election campaign this Tuesday March 30 at the old Subway building in Cruz Bay - 6:30PM. Governor wants to get re-elected - he NEEDS us! What a great opportunity! Even if you have no intention of voting for him, why not tell him in person how you feel about Grande Bay, Property Taxes, Parking, or whatever else? Let him know how you rate his performance so far.
For maximum effect, have your comments prepared in advance, so you can quickly say your piece then hand him a letter to remind him later.
Your actions DO count!
Just last week, the Governor passed a bill allowing the tax assessor to issue the 2006, 2007, 2008 and future tax bills at the 1998 level until they comply with the 2003 injunction. We will not have to pay those inflated Bearing Point tax bills because of Myrtle Barry, Lorelei Monsanto, the VI Unity Day Group and all of the St John Property Owners who contributed to legal battle concerning the Bearing Point Assessment of our Property Values (THANK YOU!). By joining forces with the Bern Ice Plant lawsuit, the Senate and Governor were forced to obey the law and the VI Courts. Bravo! We won the first round! Since the Governments actions resulted in a financial of multiple past due tax bills, Mrytle has asked us to call for the Governor to waive some or all of the old bills. Why not tell him in person?
Last Friday, the Governor received the Grande Bay rezoning bill. He now has 10 days to say yes or no. Government House told me they recognize there is opposition to the Grande Bay rezoning because of your calls, faxes and emails. Why not tell him again in person?
Is St John worth a little of your time and energy? Wouldn't the Governor be surprised if he met informed residents demanding more than just free food and drinks?
Sincerely,
Pam Gaffin
Dear friends of the Environment: (Re: Alpine)
We are at the cross road. There is a pressing need for our supporters to respond and fully participate in this effort. We must come out to the Legislature on Monday March 8, 2010 at 10am, and encourage our neighbors, friends and family member to join you and us in exercising our rights.
The Alpine Lease Agreement is up for a vote. The Committee on the Whole (15 Senators) will be voting to decide the quality of air we going the breathe, the quality of water we are going to drink, and quality of life we are going to leave for our children, children. This vote will shape the fabric of our life in the V.I. and it starts on this coming Monday.
Many of us have stepped up to the plate and worked countless hours fighting against what has been an up hill battle from the start. We had no money, there was know transparency, we didn’t know each other; however, as fate would have it, many of us are now and will be life long friends. When you care about your environment, it means a lot and because of the concerns here, we have demonstrated our ability to care and we are looking for a favorable stance by majority voting against the lease planned for Bovoni.
Forward this message to your friends and family in your address book. Then call as many people as you can between now and Monday morning and encourage them to come to the Legislature.
Sincerely
Clarence Payne3-3-10 To: Virgin Island Property Owners
STAND TOGETHER FOR THE
GOOD OF ALL PROPERTY OWNERS
We need our government to act now.
Since May 12, 2003 the District Court made provision for the tax assessor to issue property tax bills at the 1998 level until the government complied with the mandates of the injunction. The government neglected to issue property tax bills for three years creating financial hardship for property owners. Waive the 2006, 2007 and 2008 tax bills and issue the 2009 property tax bills at the 1998 level.
The office of the tax assessor has contacted the financial institutions of property owners and collected payments for the rescinded 2006 property tax bill. In response financial institutions immediately increased the monthly mortgage installment to property owners who are burdened with the eminent fear of loosing their homes. Contact the financial institutions and remove levy. Refund the all monies collected for the rescinded 2006 property tax bill.
Update the real property records in the office of the tax assessor with subdivisions filed with the office of cadastral and certificate of occupancy issued by the Department of Planning and Natural Resources
The $6.5 million dollar Bearing Point revaluation is seriously flawed. Delete the data base and formula from the property tax system and conduct a completely new assessment in accordance with IAAO (International Association of Assessing Officers) standards as stated in Section 7 paragraph (a) of Act 6991 passed by the 27th Legislature of the Virgin Islands.
The formula and rate for assessing real property tax must be comparable to the entire territory and district. Bearing Point’s base rate for houses on St. John is $360 per square foot, St. Thomas is $93 and St. Croix is $89. The base rate for land on St. John is $25.12 per square foot, on St. Thomas is $7.41 and St. Croix is $2.78.
Amend Act 6991. (a.) Seniors and Veterans should not have to choose which tax credit they cannot take when they are eligible for both. (b.) Give property owners whose assessments have increased over 125% from the previous year a 40% tax credits annually for 5 years. (c) It is unconstitutional to require tax payers to pay 50% of the difference of the previous bill and the new bill in order to appeal.
The following senators stood up for the people by voting against Act 6991on January 31, 2008. They are Sen. Neville James, Sen. Ronald Russell, Sen. Terrence Nelson and Sen. Juan Figueroa Serville. Voting for Act 6991 were Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone, Sen. President Usie Richards, Sen. Celestino White, Sr., Sen. Liston Davis, Sen. Carlton Dowe, Sen. Louis Hill, Sen. Norman Jn Baptiste, Sen. Basil Ottley Jr., Sen. Alvin Williams, Jr., and Sen. James Weber III. Sen. at Large Carmen Wesselhoft was excused. Now we have an unbearable situation.
Any formal appeal that the Board of Tax Review does not resolve within 120 days should automatically revert to the last uncontested assessed value.
Provide property owner with guide lines of what to expect and how to prepare for the formal appeals process.
Mass appraisal contracts ought to have provisions for recourse and compensation for flawed revaluations and useless work which must be exercised by the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, boards, tax assessor and involved parties.
Be transparent. Any decision made must encompass the general good of all Virgin Island property owners.
The Virgin Islands are already two districts. Three districts should not be created simply for assessment purposes. This is inconsistent.
In conclusion, a government “for the People, by the People” is what the Virgin Islands need.
The Virgin Islands Unity Day Group, Inc., a 501(c)4 non-profit organization.
Virgin Islands Unity Day Group, Inc.
P.O. Box 371
St. John, VI 00831-0371
viunitydaygroup.org
Good Day Everyone,
If the property tax case was not filed, This daily news article may not have surfaced.
Myrtle Barry, Chairperson
Real Property Committee
VIRGIN ISLANDS UNITY DAY GROUP
From: myrtlebarry@yahoo.com <myrtlebarry@yahoo.com>
Subject: Executive Order
To: "Myrtle Barry" <myrtlebarry@yahoo.com>
Date: Thursday, July 9, 2009, 11:21 AM
1. On May 12, 2009 Gov. de Jongh, Jr. issued executive order #441-2009 which stated:
a. Payment for 2006 property tax bill is due by July 1, 2009.
b. 2006 property tax bills become delinquent after July 31, 2009.
c. August 14, 2009 is the deadline for filing appeal of the 2006 property tax bill.
2. On July 8, 2009, Gov. de Jongh, Jr. filed his June 30, 2009 executive order #443-2009 recinding executive order #441-2009.
3. The September 11, 2008 District Court ruling and the June 16, 2009 3rd Circuit Court ruling both rescinded the 2006 property tax bill.
From: Myrtle Barry <myrtlebarry@yahoo.com>
Subject: 7-1-09 Status Conference Summary
To: "Myrtle Barry" <viunitydaygroup@yahoo.com>
Date: Thursday, July 2, 2009, 11:34 AM
Good Day Everyone, (See Full News Story St. T. Source)
Sincere THANK YOU to the 52 St. John property owners who attended the status conference hearing! All seats were filled except the reserved seating. Lack of seats caused some to stand outside. Access into the court was a challenge. Special thanks to Madam President, Lorelei Monsanto, for her persistence and wit. Jim Derr took the time to address the St. John Property tax payers and answer questions. Special recognition to AARP and their show of support.
It was critical that St. John property owners show their support on since the court only scheduled Berne et. al. for the July 1st status conference. The court has now recognized the importance and emphasis of the V.I. Unity Day Group and the St. John property owners.
Jim Derr request that anyone who has an outstanding appeal prior to 2003 contact a.s.a.p. me.
JUDGE GOMEZ: Acknowledge both a motion filed by Derr to consolidate the cases and the motion filed by Jacobs to modify the injunction. The government has not yet issued an executive order rescinding the 2006 property tax bill.
JIM DERR: Derr moved the court to consolidate the VIUD case with the existing Berne case citing that both parties have complaints relative to the tax assessor. The VIUD complaints reference the revaluation and Act 6991. The revaluation has not been fully addressed. There needs to a full evidentary hearing on the Special Master's report. He needs to be examined. His report is unattested. It's hear say. We also want to depose Mr. Challenger and the Board of Tax Review regarding the descrepancies they testified of.
CAROLYN JACOBS: The Governor intends to rescind the 2006 property tax bill but the Lt.. Governor has not attested (signed) the executive order. Jacobs request that the 2003 District Court Injunction be modified. The government needs tax monies. Jacobs oppose the motion to consolidate the cases. Jacobs feel that in the Berne case only the Board of Tax Review remains to be heard and that the government has complied with the courts comtempt order. Moreover, Jacobs stated that no fees were incurred in the 3rd Circuit court. $100,000 has been deposited in the court appointed account.
JUDGE GOMEZ: August 15, 2009 deadline is set for all parties to file their request.
Myrtle Barry, Chairperson
Real Property Committee
V. I. UNITY DAY GROUP, INC.
As of May 15th
(PDF) Answer from the Government. I guess they decided not to fight on a Motion to Dismiss again: DOWNLOAD.
Good Day Everyone,
1. The 2006 property tax bill is still not due because of the Virgin Islands governments lack of compliance with the May 12, 2003 District Court injunction and the September 11, 2008 rescind of the 2006 property tax bill.
2. The VI Government still has not complied with the May 12, 2003 injunction.
3. Put your tax dollars in the bank and follow the case.
Myrtle Barry, Chairperson
Real Property Committee
V. I. Unity Day Group, Inc.F
Good day,
I have attached our letter of application to the VI PSC asking for reconsideration of their April 1, 2009 decision to increase most ferry rates on government-assigned franchise routes between St. Thomas and St. John.(click link above for more)
As our media representatives, I am asking you to share this information with the public in an effort to heighten the awareness of this issue and to put the VI Government on notice that the members of this community will not be left with the burden that this rate increase creates. Pillsbury Sound is our major highway and as such should be considered for Federal and local subisidies.
Thank you very much for allowing our voices to be heard.
The Virgin Islands Unity Day Group
Transportation Committee
Nydia Lewis
Co-Chairperson
INFO RE: TAX ASSESSMENTS:
Thank you for your interest and support in reaching this mile stone. As you know on September 12, 2008 District Court Judge Curtis Gomez rescinded the 2006 property tax
bill, fined the V.1. Government $5,000 per day and ordered all 2006 property tax payments to be refunded. This fundamental and critical premise was essential in establishing the order and direction for property owners of St. John and the Virgin Islands.
However, what has been accomplished must be continued.
We have expended $10,000 so far. Funding is needed to continue our efforts in addressing the flawed revaluation. If you have not yet supported our cause send your
financial contribution payable to Virgin Islands Unity Day Group at the above address or drop off your payment at E-C Service Station. Jf you have already contributed,
additional financial support is needed. Include your email address to receive updates.
If you have contributed or are contributing send us a copy of your 2006 property tax bill.
They will be used in our case for research and evaluation.
Your time and consideration is appreciated.
PS....If your property tax is paid by your bank, contact your loan officer and instruct them of your decision. Follow up with a letter confirming your conversation with said officer. Also for your records, have your bank send you record of the property tax bills they have paid using your escrow money.
Sincerely,
VIRGIN ISLANDS UNITY DAY GROUP, INC.
